INPTRA Webcasts

Past Webcasts

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Regulation of Assistive Personnel Around the Globe - December 12, 2018

Regulation and education requirements of physiotherapist support personnel differs greatly across countries. Therefore, INPTRA teamed up with two presenters to create an environmental scan of the physiotherapist support personnel role around the world. This webcast will serve as a base for understanding regulation, or the lack thereof, for support personnel in different countries. This session shared the “behind the scenes” regarding the Support Personnel Survey that was sent out, including why and how these questions were chosen. Then, we go deeper into the methodology, limitations, and results of the survey.

Accreditation and Global Mobility – What can we learn from physiotherapy and other professions about accreditation, regulation and global mobility? - June 5, 2018

INPTRA and WCPT jointly hosted this webinar on accreditation and global mobility. In part 1 of this joint webinar series, we explored the differences between accreditation around the globe and recognized that many countries do not have any accreditation of their educational programs. In this webinar, we explore the implications that variation in accreditation has on global mobility. The session looks at the challenges of accrediting international programs when practice is different. It looks into a mutual recognition model that acknowledges educational differences and provides a potential solution, and finally we explore WCPT’s accrediting program and potential opportunities for uniform standards and mobility.

Accreditation Around the Globe - March 29, 2018

Presented by Zola Dantile, Chairperson of the Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokineticist of the Health Professions Council of South AfricaKathy Davidson, Executive Director of Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC)Leanne Percy, General Manager, Accreditation, Australian Physiotherapy CouncilBenjamin Soon, Assistant Professor, Singapore Institute of TechnologyEmma Stokes, President, World Confederation for Physical Therapy

INPTRA and WCPT jointly hosted this webinar on accreditation around the globe.
Leaders in the field of physiotherapy accreditation will discuss definition, purpose, scope and application of accreditation models.
They will discuss the potential links between their accreditation systems and regulation.
Finally, they will share their thoughts on the future of accreditation systems and what regulators might need to consider.

Sanctions, Discipline, or Remediation - Does your board use a hammer or give a hand ? - December 5, 2017

Regulators are charged with upholding the laws and regulations that govern their professions requirements to practice. What are the possible responses for a regulatory authority to violations of those requirements? What are the objectives of the response? Remediation, punishment, prevention or something else? Is it possible for regulators to approach situations and circumstances differently but still maintain consistency in approach?

This session explores two different models, one from Australia and one from the United States. The presenters also explore the strengths and limitations of their respective approach and possible considerations for best practices in upholding the standards and requirements for practice.

Presented by David J. Collie, FCPA, FCMA, MBA, C. Dir., President and CEO, The Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario

How effective is your regulatory agency? Are you focusing on the right things? This webinar will cover how to use a “harms reduction” approach in regulation to increase effectiveness. David Collie will share his experience in implementing this approach with The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) in Ontario, Canada. Hear how David and his colleagues took an aggressive approach to protecting the public and electrical workers. David’s presentation will outline the approach ESA has taken to implement a Harms Reduction approach, derived from Harvard University’s Dr. Malcolm Sparrow. The same principles can be used in the regulation of Physiotherapy.

Engaging registrants in the self-monitoring of risks, supports, and knowledge as a contributor to maintaining competence - February 7, 2017

Presented by Chris Smerdon, BScPT, MSc, Manager of the Quality Assurance Program, The College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia

The College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (Canada) has been administering an Annual Self Report (ASR) with all registrants since 2010. The ASR is a short, online, confidential tool that consists of 3 main parts: questions the registrant answers about themselves and their practice in order to identify potential risks and supports to competence; a self-quiz that requires the registrant to apply their knowledge of regulation to practice scenarios; and finally an individualized report that contains additional information about the registrant’s potential risks and supports. In this webinar we will look at the ASR in more detail and how its engagement of registrants fits the purpose of the College’s Quality Assurance Program: to monitor and support the continuing competence of physical therapists in British Columbia. We will also spend some time looking at what we have learned from seven years of administering the ASR and how we have improved it.

Using research to develop policy and standards: evidence informed regulation - December 6, 2016

Presented by Michael Guthrie, Director of Policy and Standards, Health and Care Professions Council

Regulators are increasingly expected to be active in undertaking and commissioning research and using their insights to improve and develop what they do. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the regulator of physiotherapists in the UK, has been active in this area in recent years and has recently published a dedicated research strategy. This session will reflect on the value of research to the process of developing regulatory policy and standards, drawing on case studies of completed and ongoing research.

Leveraging Data to Make More Effective Regulatory Decisions – September 14, 2016

Spurred on by regulatory experts such as Professor Malcolm Sparrow (Harvard School of Business) and Professors Valerie and John Braithwaite (Australian National University), the recent decade has seen a significant shift in the way that regulatory bodies around the world are approaching the task of regulation.

From domains as diverse as finance, environmental and health, regulators are beginning to change from a traditionally reactive and adversarial legal model, to one of being more responsive, collaborative, evidence-based and preventative.

The importance of engagement in the discussion of competency – June 6, 2016

The term competency has been used for years by regulators, educators, and employers, yet the multiple - sometimes conflicting - meanings of the term itself have not been fully discussed. In this presentation we will review the different meanings of the word 'competency' from diverse stakeholders' perspectives, and the implications of these differences for assessment and confidence in decision making.

Education of the public: A regulator’s responsibility? – March 16, 2016

Presented by Olufunke Akanle, Nigeria; Brenda Hudson, Canada; and Kay Tasso, United States

Regulators often rely on consumers to tell them when the care they receive is not good care. And do patients or clients even know that they should check to assure someone is registered or licensed? In each of these situations, there seems an assumption that patients understand the system and understand what good care is. This panel will explore the responsibility that regulators have in educating the public and explore some ways different regulators have approached this challenge.

Scope of Practice: To Have or Not Have? Part 2 – November 12, 2015

One of the most significant differences in physiotherapy regulatory models around the globe is the identification of specific scope of practice. In some models, scope of practice is clearly delineated and outlined within the written regulations. In other models, the title and term are protected but there is not a specified scope of practice.

The intent of this webinar is to compare and contrast various forms of these models. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How do they work in terms of protecting the public? Representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States will share their perspectives and experiences. This webcast is a follow-up
webcast (Part 2) to our previous webcast in September where we had speakers from Australia and New Zealand.

Scope of Practice: To Have or Not Have? Part 1 – September 15, 2015

One of the most significant differences in physiotherapy regulatory models around the globe is the identification of specific scope of practice. In some models, scope of practice is clearly delineated and outlined within the written regulations. In other models, the title and term are protected but there is not a set specified scope of practice.

The intent of this webinar is to compare and contrast various forms of these models. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How do they work in terms of protecting the public? Representatives from Australia and New Zealand will share their perspectives and experiences. We will continue this conversation in a follow-up webinar (Part 2) with other examples from other countries.

Telehealth in Physiotherapy, Part 2 – February 25, 2015

This session will continue the discussion of telehealth in physiotherapy as a global regulatory issue with examples from Australia and the United States.

Alan C. Lee (USA): Telehealth Pediatric Consultation: Implications for connecting PTs to heal the world. The benefits of integrating telehealth from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, United States to Tijuana, Mexico has taken collaboration, communication, and coordination.View Lee's Presentation (PDF)

Trevor Russell (Australia): This presentation will outline recent advances in telerehabilitation applications within the field of physical therapy. Research which demonstrates both the validity and diagnostic accuracy of remote home-base physical assessment and the outcomes of telerehabilitation interventions for orthopaedic patients will be presented. Service delivery strategies, lessons learned and future directions of telerehabilitation will be considered.View Russell's Presentation (PDF)

Telehealth is an emerging delivery mechanism for physiotherapy services. This session will explore the effectiveness and cost of utilizing telephysiotherapy. It will also look at the regulatory considerations for telepractice in light of the question, “How can regulatory boards address telepractice and assure safe and effective practice without creating regulatory burdens?”

Please note that although there were four presentations, at this time we can only post the US presentations. The presentations by the Canadians Hélène Moffet and Michel Tousignant will be posted after their research has been published.

Telehealth is an emerging delivery mechanism for physiotherapy services. This session will explore the effectiveness and cost of utilizing telephysiotherapy. It will also look at the regulatory considerations for telepractice in light of the question, “How can regulatory boards address telepractice and assure safe and effective practice without creating regulatory burdens?”

Please note that although there were four presentations, at this time we can only post the US presentations. The presentations by the Canadians Hélène Moffet and Michel Tousignant will be posted after their research has been published.

Regulation Around the Globe: A Look at New Zealand and the Philippines - November 18, 2014

Presenters describe physiotherapy regulation in their country to include how regulation is funded (government, private insurance, etc.) and the framework and structure of regulation.

Presenters also describe physiotherapy practice: Is physician referral required? Can their physiotherapists do joint manipulation or mobilization? What types of specialization or advanced practice exist? Does physiotherapy change based on the practice environment? Can PTs order diagnostic tests? Can they prescribe pharmaceuticals?

There is also a discussion on use of assistive personnel; requirements for entry-level practice such as education and training or an examination; enforcement of ethics standards, and continuing professional development requirements.

Modernization of the Directive on Professional Qualifications The Professional Card (EPC): a tool to improve mobility for physiotherapists in Europe? - July 22, 2014

Presented by Roland Craps, Belgium, 1st vice-chair, European Union Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT)

Mr. Craps explains the modernization process of the Directive and how it is being adopted in the European Union (EU) countries. The EPC is part of this modernisation process and is one of the most important components of the process. It will be a “tool” to facilitate migration procedures, but it does not affect the recognition process or content in individual countries.

He discusses the development of the Card as a delegated act to the European Commission. The European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT) also participates in the discussion sessions. The Directive must be transposed in national laws by 2016.

Promoting the international mobility of physiotherapists with an innovative and worldwide unique model: The Quebec-France Agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications - November 5, 2013

Prescribing Medications by Physiotherapists in the United Kingdom - October 3, 2013

Physiotherapists are now allowed to prescribe medications in the United Kingdom. It is important for regulators around the globe to understand this change and its potential impact on the future of physiotherapy practice.

The presentation, provided by Michael Guthrie from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), will describe the history, purpose and requirements related to this new legislation. He will describe the proponents and opponents to the legislation and how it was passed as well as the ramifications for healthcare delivery in the UK.

The results of the first global survey of direct access/patient self-referral were recently published in Physiotherapy (Journal of the UK Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) and Physical Therapy (Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association).This webinar considered key findings from the study. The reports themselves are posted in the Member’s Regulatory Information section.

Different models for regulating advanced practice and recognizing specialization - November 13, 2012

The practice of physiotherapy is continuing to evolve. Should advanced practice skills be regulated?
How is it determined something is “advanced practice?” How do regulators assure competency in advanced practice? And what about specialization?